The original 1898 version of the #09271 as shown in the Mar/Apr 1979 N G & S L Gazette did indeed have a Flanger applied to the lead truck, which to my surprise is not shown on the Folio Drawing in the Rio Grande Narrow Gauge Car Plans by Heimburger of the 1923 rebuilt version.
I'd have to say that I was under the impression that the flanger was retained on the rebuild as there was a #09271 picture at Gunnison taken by the late Bob Richardson that "
appeared" to show the Flanger in place. The lead truck in all the pictures I've seen of the rebuilt version do not show Brake Rigging which lends me to think the Flanger would still be there.
My impression however may not be correct and only Jerry Day will know the answer to this question.
You are correct on the fact that the Flanger was always present on the snow train but don't forget that the #268 was also equipped with Priest Flangers as well.
EDIT: Bob Grandt's NG Pictorial VolX pg211 has the Bert Ward picture that shows the addition of the length of Rail added to the underside of the frame and that obscures the Flanger detail in the raised position. The Bob Richardson picture referred to above is on pg212 and shows the sunlit detail to which I base my impression on
PPS: Taking another look at the Bert Ward photo there is an airhose at the coupler end; as there is no Air-Brake cylinder visible then that would be confirmation of the Flanger retained.
Edited 2 time(s). Last edit at 10/19/2016 06:46AM by Chris Walker.